JP2023507901A - METHOD, APPARATUS AND TEST SYSTEM FOR DATA TRANSMISSION DURING POWER TRANSMISSION IN WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for transmitting data during power transmission in a wireless power transmission system (100) is disclosed. The wireless power transfer system (100) includes a power transmitter (120) arranged to transmit power to a power receiver (110) via an inductive wireless power transfer interface (105) operating at a transmit frequency. Prepare. The wireless power transfer system (100) is adapted to transmit information using frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the other direction in half-duplex communication. are adapted. The method comprises transmitting power by a power transmitting device (120) to a power receiving device (110) at a transmission frequency; 110) to the other of the power transmitters (120) or power receivers (110) at the transmit frequency using one of two modulation methods: FSK or ASK. including The method further includes, during transmission, determining, by the device (110, 120) transmitting the first data packet, whether a signal condition is met; if the signal condition is met, the first Changing the data communication configuration of the device (110, 120) that transmits (311) the data packet. Further disclosed is a power transmitter, a power receiver, and a test system. [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to wireless power transfer, and more particularly to inductive wireless power transfer. More specifically, the present invention relates to reliable data communication during power transfer.

Wireless power transfer is used in applications for wireless charging of mobile devices such as mobile handsets, tablet computers, laptops, cameras, audio players, rechargeable toothbrushes, wireless headsets, as well as various other consumer electronics and appliances. especially remarkably advanced.

Typically, devices capable of wireless charging rely on magnetic induction between planar coils. Two types of devices are relevant: devices that provide wireless power (referred to as base stations or wireless power transmitters) and devices that consume wireless power (referred to as mobile devices or power receivers). For example, power is transferred from the base station to the mobile device. For this purpose, the base station contains a subsystem with a primary coil (power transmitter) and the mobile device contains a subsystem with a secondary coil (power receiver). In operation, the primary and secondary coils form two halves of the coreless transformer. Typically, the power transmitter has a flat surface on which a user can place one or more mobile devices (typically having a flat surface), to the mobile device placed on the base station. can be wirelessly charged or powered during operation. Common to all types of inductive power transfer is that the efficiency of power transfer depends on the distance of the coils and whether the coils are aligned.

The Wireless Power Consortium has developed a wireless power transfer standard known as the Qi standard. Other wireless power transfer approaches include the Alliance for Wireless Power and the Power Matters Alliance.

The wireless power transfer standard known as the Qi standard by the Wireless Power Consortium is referred to herein without limitation as the currently preferred wireless power transfer method applicable to the present invention. However, the present invention may generally be applied to other wireless power transfer standards or approaches, including without limitation those listed above. Devices compliant with the Qi standard interact according to a defined scheme before power transfer begins. The scheme transitions from the select state to the ping state, to the identify and configure state, and then to the power transfer state. When the device is in the power transfer state, power is transferred from the power transmitting device to the power receiving device. During power transfer, the power receiver evaluates the received power and communicates to the power transmitter that a power increase or decrease is required using control error packets. The power transmitter adjusts the transmitted power as requested in the control error packet by the power receiver. If the control error packet is not received by the power transmitter as expected, the power transmitter suspends power transfer and the system returns to the selected state.

This means that a failure of communication from the power receiver to the power transmitter restarts the power transfer scheme. A restarted power transfer scheme can mean, for example, an interruption in charging the mobile phone, an increase in charging time due to the initiation process, and/or a decrease in charging efficiency.

It will be appreciated from the above that there is room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new kind of data communication method in wireless power transfer systems which is an improvement over the prior art and which eliminates or at least mitigates the drawbacks discussed above. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of data communication in a wireless power transfer system that provides reliable and efficient data communication during power transfer. These objects are achieved by the techniques defined by the preferred embodiments defined in the attached independent claims and their related dependent claims.

In a first aspect, a method of transmitting data during power transfer in a wireless power transfer system is presented. The wireless power transfer system comprises a power transmitter arranged to transfer power to a power receiver via an inductive wireless power transfer interface operating at a transmission frequency. A wireless power transfer system is adapted to transmit information using frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the other direction in half-duplex communication. there is The method includes transmitting power by a power transmitting device to a power receiving device at a transmission frequency. During transmission, a first data packet is transmitted by one of the power transmitters or power receivers to the other of the power transmitters or power receivers at the transmission frequency with two modulations, FSK or ASK. sent using one of the methods. During transmission, the device transmitting the first data packet determines whether certain signal conditions for transmission of the first data packet are met, and if the signal conditions for transmission of the first data packet are met. For example, the data communication configuration of the device transmitting the first data packet is changed.

In one variation of the method, the power transmitter transmits information using FSK and receives information using ASK. Further, the power receiver uses ASK to transmit information and FSK to receive information. This is an efficient mechanism and is advantageous as it is the way communication takes place in many standardized ways in wireless power transfer.

In a further variation of the method, the modified data communication configuration is one of predefined or configurable one or more modulation indices, one or more symbol rates or one or more A set of modulation parameters including at least one of bits per symbol. Having the flexibility to change the modulation parameters provides responsiveness to changes in the wireless power transfer system and allows optimization of data transmission.

In another variant of the method, the device transmitting the first data packet is a power receiving device and the modified data communication configuration is a modulation index in the form of amplitude deviation. One advantage of the above is that the amplitude deviation can be optimized to ensure good signal conditions along with optimizing power transfer.

In yet another variant of the method, the device for transmitting the first data packet is a power transmission device and the changed data communication configuration is a change to the transmission frequency and/or modulation index in the form of frequency deviation. . One advantage of the above is that the transmit frequency and/or modulation index can be optimized to ensure good signal conditions while optimizing power transfer.

In one variation of the method, determining whether the signal condition is met includes evaluating modulation accuracy of the signal including the first data packet, wherein the evaluated modulation accuracy is equal to the modulation accuracy. If it is lower than the accuracy threshold, it is determined that the signal condition is satisfied. Evaluating the modulation accuracy enables configuration changes to optimize power transfer while ensuring good signal conditions while optimizing data transmission.

In a further variation of the method, evaluating the modulation accuracy includes evaluating an amplitude of the signal comprising the first data packet. Evaluating the amplitude means that poor quality or inefficient amplitudes can be detected and the signal can be optimized to ensure good signal conditions along with optimizing power transfer.

In another variation of the method, the modifying step comprises modifying the configuration until it is determined that the signal condition is no longer met, or until a predefined or configurable set of configurations is evaluated. Including repetition. By changing the configuration and re-evaluating the signal conditions, the signal can be efficiently configured such that a near optimal configuration is found.

In yet another variation of the method, making the iterative change further evaluates a signal quality indicator (SQI) and/or transmitted power for each of the predefined or configurable data communication configurations. Including. In addition, the iteratively changing further has the highest SQI and/or the most power when at least one signal condition for each of a predefined or configurable set of data communication configurations is met. includes making changes to the transmitted configuration. By changing the configuration and re-evaluating the signal conditions and SQI, it is possible to efficiently configure the signal such that a roughly optimal configuration is found.

In one variation of the method, the signal condition is determined to be met upon receipt of operational feedback from the device receiving the first packet. By allowing the receiving device to feed back the operational feedback, a closed-loop system involving both devices is achieved, allowing the signal to be efficiently configured to generally find the optimal configuration.

In a further variation of the method, the method further comprises receiving the first data packet by the device not transmitting the first data packet. During reception, devices that did not transmit the first data packet evaluate the signal quality of the signal containing the first packet. If an evaluation of the quality of the signal containing the first data packet does not meet the threshold, then the device not transmitting the first data packet will select the other of said two modulation schemes, FSK or ASK. is used to transmit operational information on the transmit frequency, thereby providing the aforementioned operational feedback. By allowing the receiving device to feed back the operational feedback, a closed-loop system involving both devices is achieved, allowing the signal to be efficiently configured to generally find the optimal configuration.

In a second aspect, a power receiver is presented. A power receiving device can be arranged in a wireless power transfer system to receive power from a power transmitting device via an inductive wireless power transfer interface operating at the transmission frequency. A wireless power transfer system is adapted to transmit information using frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the other direction in half-duplex communication. there is The power receiver includes a receiver controller operably connected to the power receiver circuit. The power receiver is configured to receive power from the power transmitter at the transmission frequency by the power receiver circuitry. The power receiving device further causes the power receiving circuit to transmit the first data packet to the power transmitting device during reception at a transmission frequency, and during transmission whether the signal conditions associated with transmission of the first data packet are met. It is configured to determine whether When the signal conditions for transmission of the first data packet are met, the power receiving device changes its data communication configuration.

In one variant of the power receiver, the power receiver further performs the function of the power receiver according to the method presented above.

In a third aspect, a power transmission device is presented. A power transmitting device can be arranged in a wireless power transfer system to transmit power to a power receiving device via an inductive wireless power transfer interface operating at a transmission frequency. A wireless power transfer system is adapted to transmit information using frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the other direction in half-duplex communication. there is The power transmission device comprises a transmission controller operably connected to the power transmission circuitry. The power transmitter is configured to cause power transmitter circuitry to transmit power to the power receiver at the transmit frequency. The power transmitting device further causes the power transmitting circuit to transmit the first data packet to the power receiving device at the transmission frequency during the transmission of the power, and associated with the transmission of the first data packet during the transmission of the first data packet. is configured to determine whether the signal conditions for the signal are met. The power transmitter changes its data communication configuration when the signal conditions for transmission of the first data packet are met.

In one variation of the power transmitter, the power transmitter further performs the function of the power transmitter according to the method presented above.

In a fourth aspect, a test system is presented that includes a probe device and an analysis device. The probe device can be arranged in a wireless power transfer system comprising a power transmitter arranged to transfer power to a power receiver via an inductive wireless power transfer interface operating at a transmit frequency. A wireless power transfer system is adapted to transmit information using frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the other direction in half-duplex communication. It is of a kind. The probe system comprises at least one pick-up coil, and the probe system comprises or is operably connected to the aforementioned probe analysis system. The analyzer detects that power is transmitted by the power transmitter to the power receiver at the transmission frequency. The analyzing device further comprises that during transmission, the first data packet is transmitted by one of the power transmitting device or the power receiving device to the other one of the power transmitting device or the power receiving device at a transmission frequency, FSK or Detect transmission using one of the two modulation methods of ASK. The analysis device further detects a change in the data communication configuration by the device sending the first data packet and provides as an output information regarding the detection.

In one variation of the test system, the test system also determines whether the signal condition has been met prior to detecting a change in the data communication configuration. Satisfying the signal conditions means that:
- the modulation accuracy of the signal comprising the first data packet is below a modulation accuracy threshold;
- operational feedback is provided to the device;
- the first data packet is being transmitted by a device that receives the first data packet;
is one of

Another variation of the test system further detects if the signal condition is not met and the configuration is changed, and produces an output about that point.

In a further variant of the test system, the analysis device further comprises a generator configurable by the analysis device to launch a signal onto the inductive wireless power transfer interface such that signal conditions are met.

In yet another variation of the test system, the analyzer also detects changes in the data structure indicated in the method above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, non-limiting examples of how the inventive concept can be reduced to practice by reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless power transfer system according to some embodiments. Figures 2a to 2c are plots of different transmitted signals. Figures 2a to 2c are plots of different transmitted signals. Figures 2a to 2c are plots of different transmitted signals. FIG. 3 is a simplified flow chart of the process of wireless power transfer. Figures 4a and 4b are plots of different transmitted signals. Figures 4a and 4b are plots of different transmitted signals. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a power receiver according to some embodiments. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a power transmitter according to some embodiments. 7a and 7b are simplified schematic diagrams of load circuits according to some embodiments. 7a and 7b are simplified schematic diagrams of load circuits according to some embodiments. 8a and 8b are simplified schematic diagrams of load circuits according to some embodiments. 8a and 8b are simplified schematic diagrams of load circuits according to some embodiments. FIG. 9 is a plot of transmitted signals according to some embodiments. 10a and 10b are simplified plots of signal amplitude versus frequency according to some embodiments. 10a and 10b are simplified plots of signal amplitude versus frequency according to some embodiments. FIG. 11 is a simplified flowchart of a method of transmitting data during power transfer in a wireless power transfer system, according to some embodiments. FIG. 12 is a simplified flowchart of a method for determining whether signal conditions have been met, according to some embodiments. FIG. 13 is a simplified flowchart of a method of transmitting data during power transfer in a wireless power transfer system, according to some embodiments. FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a test system and wireless power transfer system, according to some embodiments. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a test system according to some embodiments. FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a test system according to some embodiments.

Specific embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the invention may be embodied in many different forms, it should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather these embodiments are intended to fully satisfy this disclosure. It is provided for purposes of illustration so as to be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of a wireless power transfer system 100 is shown. The system comprises a power receiver 110 and a power transmitter 120 . Power transmitter 120 is arranged to transmit power to power receiver 110 . Power is transmitted through the inductive wireless power transmission interface 105 by inductive coupling. Inductive coupling is achieved by coupling power transmitting circuitry 122 contained within power transmitting device 120 and power receiving circuitry 112 contained within power receiving device 110 . Inductive wireless power transfer interface 105 is typically an air interface and the inductive coupling between devices 110 and 120 is coreless.

In order to transmit power over the wireless inductive wireless transmission interface 105 , the power transmitter circuit 122 must induce a receive current I _RX in the power receive coil circuit 112 . A transmission current I _TX , which is an alternating current with a transmission frequency f _TX , generates an electromagnetic field that propagates through the wireless inductive wireless transmission interface 105 to the power receiving circuit 112 . This electromagnetic field induces a receive current I _RX in the power receiver circuit 112 . The receive current _IRX is an alternating current with a transmit frequency _fTX . The actual transmitted power depends, among other things, on the coupling coefficient between power transmitting coil 127 and power receiving circuit 112 . This coupling is affected by factors such as the number of coil turns in the power receiving and transmitting circuits, the placement of those coils, and their distance. The transmit frequency f _TX can affect the efficiency of the system, with too low a frequency causing saturation of one of the circuits 112, 122, and too high a frequency resulting in low efficiency due to unnecessary switching.

Wireless power transfer systems in general, and wireless power transfer system 100 of FIG. 1 in particular, require some type of communication between devices 110 and 120 . For example, if there is no communication in the wireless charging scenario, the power transmitter 120 has no means of knowing how much power to transmit to the power receivers 110, and the same transmission power is set to all the power receivers 110 as a target value. I have no choice but to. The power receiver 110 must deal with the power induced in its power receiver circuit 112, and if too much power is received, power may have to be wasted on spurious loads. These issues are addressed by the Qi standard by the Wireless Power Consortium by introducing an information interface that will be discussed briefly in a later section with reference to FIG.

One way to communicate data between transmitter 120 and receiver 110 is to change the transmission frequency f _TX of power transmitter 120 . FIG. 2a shows the transmit signal provided to transmit circuit 122 oscillating at a single transmit frequency _fTX . In FIG. 2b, the transmit frequency f _TX varies periodically between a first transmit frequency f _TX1 and a second transmit frequency f _TX2 . The time between each transition may be referred to as symbol time T _S . This change in transmit frequency f _TX is detectable by power receiver 110 . The absolute value of the difference between the first transmission frequency f _TX1 and the second transmission frequency f _TX2 is called the frequency deviation f _dev and may also be called the modulation index. This type of modulation is known in the industry as Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), and the particular example of Figure 2b using two different transmit frequency values is typically referred to as Binary Frequency Shift Keying (BFSK). be done.

Another method of communicating data between devices 120 and 110 is to periodically change the amplitude of the transmitted signal. This is shown in Fig. 2c, where the amplitude of the transmitted signal is changed at symbol time _Ts . The amplitude is varied between a first amplitude _A1 and a second amplitude _A2 . The absolute value of the difference between the first amplitude A ₁ and the second amplitude A ₂ is called the amplitude deviation A _dev and can also be called the modulation index. Amplitude changes are readily detectable by either device 110 or 120 . Changes in the power receiving circuit 112 of the power receiving device 110 are detectable by the power transmitting device 120 because the transmitting circuit 122 is electromagnetically coupled to the receiving circuit 112 . In simple terms, this means that the power receiver 110 may alter or change its receiver circuitry 112 so that changes in amplitude of the transmitted signal in the transmitter circuitry 122 of the power transmitter 120 are observed. This is known as backscatter communication or ambient backscatter communication.

Changes in receive circuit 112 may be implemented by switching or changing any suitable impedance element of power receive circuit 112, as described in more detail in a later section. This type of modulation is known in the industry as Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), and the particular example of Figure 2c using two different transmit frequency values is typically referred to as Binary Amplitude Shift Keying (BASK). be done.

In true ASK, modulation is typically accomplished as a pure resistance change within the power receiver circuit 112 . If reactance is introduced in the impedance element, a phase shift can occur during amplitude switching. In practical applications, purely resistive impedance elements are difficult to achieve. Therefore, some phase shift is expected. There may be implementations that can be viewed as a form of phase-shift keying (PSK), where the impedance elements are predominantly reactive.

In the Qi standard, power transmitter 120 communicates in BFSK and power receiver 110 communicates in BASK.

The Qi power transfer process 300 is briefly described with reference to FIG. This is a non-exhaustive description and remains a general introduction. To conserve power, process 300 starts with a selection phase 302 in which power transmitting device 120 typically monitors changes in wireless inductive power interface 105 and typically power receiving device 110 introduction. When a target is detected within the wireless inductive power interface 105, the pin phase 304 is initiated. In pin phase 304 , power transmitter 120 performs a digital pin by power transmitter 120 that provides a transmit signal at transmit frequency f _TX to transmit coil 127 . If modulation of the transmitted signal is detected for a predefined period of time, process 300 transitions to identification and configuration phase 306 . If no modulation was detected, process 300 returns to selection phase 302 . In the identification and configuration phase 306, the power transmitter 120 identifies the power receiver 110 and obtains configuration information regarding, for example, maximum transmittable power. The identification and configuration phase 306 may comprise a negotiation phase and a calibration phase (both not shown in FIG. 3), depending on the capabilities of the power transmitting device 120 and power receiving device 110 . If an error occurs during identification and configuration phase 306 , process 300 returns to selection phase 302 . On the other hand, if the identification and configuration phase 306 is successful, the process 300 proceeds to a power transmission phase 308 in which power is transmitted, where control of the transmission power is based on control data transmitted by the power receiving device 110 . If power transmitter 120 does not receive a communication from power receiving device 110 for a predefined period of time, power transmitter 120 typically terminates power transfer and returns to selection phase 302 .

The inventors of the present invention have realized that the process 300 described above can be improved in many ways. A significant amount of power is required to reach the power transfer phase 308, and if there is any failure in communication between the power receiving device 110 and the power transmitting device 120, phase 302 until phase 308 is reached. , 304, 306 typically need to be repeated. Also, if an unexpected event occurs during operation during the power transfer phase 308 , there is no way to initiate communication from the power transmitting device 120 to the power receiving device 110 .

As described above with reference to FIG. 3 and power transfer process 300, if power transmitter 120 does not receive a communication from power receiving device 110 for a predefined period of time, power transmitter 120 typically End the power transfer and return to the selection phase 302 . The probability that a power transmitter correctly decodes a received ASK symbol depends on the modulation depth and the noise in the signal comprising the ASK modulated signal. Their relationship is commonly referred to as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and is a common criterion in communications. SNR, simply put, is the useful portion of the received signal divided by the noise in the received signal. If the SNR decreases, the probability that the receiver correctly decodes the modulated signal also decreases. In FIG. 4a it is observed that the signal of FIG. 2c is subject to random noise and that the spread of the first amplitude ΔA ₁ overlaps with the corresponding spread of the second amplitude ΔA ₂ . From the receiver's point of view, the difficulty in determining the amplitude deviation A _dev , ie the low SNR, makes it more difficult to correctly receive and decode the ASK modulated signal. In Fig. 4b the transmitted signal is depicted with ASK modulation similar to Fig. 2c. One difference between Figures 4b and 2c is that the modulation index, ie the absolute value of the difference in amplitude between the first amplitude _A1 and the second amplitude _A2 , is greatly reduced in Figure 4b. As the modulation depth decreases, it becomes more difficult for the power transmitter to receive communications from the power receiver.

There are many reasons for an ASK modulated signal to behave like Figures 4a and 4b or a combination thereof, such as insufficient amplitude deviation A _dev and high noise. Noise can be external or internal sources that generate disturbances or thermal noise due to heating of the transmitter 120 or receiver 110 . A low amplitude deviation A _dev is caused, for example, by an insufficient connection between the power transmitting circuit 122 and the power receiving circuit 112 . Such changes in the received signal may be referred to as changes in modulation accuracy.

Power transfer systems 100 typically have notable features that increase the SNR of such types of systems 100 . Various parameters such as power level, transmission efficiency, etc. may be used to optimize the power transfer. By definition, the power transfer system 100 desires to operate at its optimum operating point. However, such an optimum operating point may be defined. Since modulation is really a deviation from the optimum operating point, the modulation puts the system 100 in a non-optimal state during modulation. As a result, a higher modulation depth results in more reliable data transmission on the one hand, but less optimal power transmission on the other hand. Therefore, a larger amplitude deviation A _dev results in a larger impact on the power transfer system 100 . For this reason, system designers want the SNR to be as low as possible by designing the system with the intention of operating at the most efficient operating point. As a result, the amplitude deviation A _dev is kept as low as possible to maximize power transfer while maintaining reliable communication. This makes the data communication of wireless power transfer systems more sensitive to noise and the typical SNR of these systems is lower. As previously described with reference to FIG. 3, any miscommunication or failure to communicate a message will cause the power transfer process 300 to repeat.

For example, the frequency modulation shown in FIG. 2b assumes that the power transmission system 100 has a bandwidth that covers at least the frequency deviation and that the transmitted power, ie power transmission loss, is approximately the same for all modulation frequencies. . This is the case when the transmission frequency f _TX is the same as the resonance frequency of the power transmission system 100 . However, this is not the typical case, and unwanted amplitude fluctuations can occur during FSK modulation. These unwanted amplitude variations further affect the modulation accuracy and SNR of the ASK modulation, increasing the risk of miscommunication and repetition of the power transfer process 300 .

FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic diagram of the power receiver 110. As shown in FIG. The power receiving circuit 112 comprises at least a power receiving coil 117 enabling connection with the inductive wireless power transfer interface 105 for inducing a receive current I _RX in the power receiving circuit 112 . The power receiver circuit 112 typically comprises some sort of rectifier circuit for rectifying the received current _IRX , the output of the rectifier being operatively connected to a load such as a charging circuit and/or a battery. A power receiver typically comprises a load circuit 115 that may be arranged to present an impedance to the power receiver circuit 112 . In many cases, the load circuit 115 is included in the power receiving circuit 112 or placed between the power receiving circuit 112 and the load. Load circuit 115 is described in more detail in a later section. Power receiver 110 also includes a receive controller 111 that controls at least the power transfer portion of power receiver 110 . The power receiver 111 further includes an ASK module 116 that performs ASK modulation on the received current I _RX of the receiver circuit 112 . Power receiver 110 also includes one or more sensors 114, which typically are power receivers to provide receiver controller 111 with metrics such as voltage, current, power, frequency, and/or temperature. Disposed within circuit 112 . Furthermore, the power receiver 110 comprises an FSK module 113 capable of detecting the FSK-modulated signal contained in the received current I _RX of the receiver circuit 112 . Typically, the modulation modules 116 , 113 are included within the receive controller 111 or operatively connected to the receive controller 111 . The modulation modules 116, 113 may be standalone hardware blocks/components or implemented in software. ASK module 116 is arranged to control load circuit 115 to achieve ASK modulation. A load circuit 115 is operatively connected to the receive circuit 112 and may be included within the receive circuit 112 before or after the rectifier circuit of the power receive circuit as viewed from the power receive coil 117 . Similarly, the FSK module 113 may be one of the one or more sensors 114 described above, or a separate sensor implemented in software, which may be a received current I _RX and/or an associated received voltage V It may be operably connected to a frequency sensor for detecting frequency content of the digital representation of _RX . The actual layout inside the power receiver 110 may vary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific configuration and interconnections may apply depending on the circumstances.

A schematic of the power transmitter 120 is shown in FIG. The power transmitter 120 comprises a power transmitter circuit 122 and a transmitter controller 121 operatively connected to the power transmitter circuit 122 . The transmitter circuit 122 comprises at least one power transmitter coil 127 that is electromagnetically coupled to the power receiver coil 117 of the power receiver 110 . Transmit controller 121 controls the excitation of power transmitter circuit 122 and controls the power delivered to power receiver 110 via inductive wireless power transfer interface 105 . To accomplish this, power transmitter 120 comprises a transmitter module 125 operably connected to or included within transmitter controller 121 . The transmit module 125 generates a transmit signal at a transmit frequency f _TX and modifies the transmit signal according to instructions received from a transmit controller and/or FSK module included in the power receiver. FSK module 123 controls the FSK modulation of transmit module 125 and may be a standalone block/component or included within transmit module 125 or transmit controller. Power transmitter 121 includes one or more sensors 124, typically sensors 124 that are used to transmit power to provide transmitter controller 121 with metrics such as voltage, current, power, frequency, and/or temperature. Disposed within circuit 122 . The power transfer module further comprises an ASK module 122 operatively connected to receive the ASK modulation from the transmit current _ITX and/or receive the transmit voltage _VTX of the associated transmit circuit. Alternatively or additionally, ASK module 122 may detect the ASK modulation of the digital representation of the transmitted signal. The actual arrangement within power transmitter 120 may vary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific configuration and interconnections may apply depending on the circumstances.

Modules 116, 113, 114, 122, 123, 124 and controllers 111, 121 introduced in previous sections with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 may be software or hardware modules or a combination of software and hardware. There may be. Although the functionality of modules 116, 113, 114, 115, 122, 123, 124, and 125 are described as isolated modules, this is for illustration purposes only, each module may be distributed among other modules, or It may be included in other modules.

An example of a block diagram of the load circuit 115 is shown in FIG. 7a. This load circuit example contemplates operably connecting the power receiving circuit 112 and the load in series. In FIG. 7b a corresponding example of a block diagram of the load circuit 115 is shown, intended for parallel connection of the power receiving circuit 112 and the load. Load circuit 115 is described as presenting a load impedance Z _L to power receiving circuit 112 . Load circuit 115 may be connected to power receiving circuit 112 in any suitable manner and may be included within power receiving circuit 112 . Comparing Figures 7a and 7B, there may be differences in the design of the load circuit 115, as it is intended for series or parallel connections. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting the implementation of load circuit 115 , power receiver circuit 112 or power receiver 110 . A load impedance Z _L is typically provided as an impedance between a first load impedance port Z _L1 and a second load impedance port Z _L2 . In Figures 7a and 7b, the load impedance _ZL is varied by connecting or disconnecting the first impedance element _Z1 to the load impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 . This change is typically controlled by a switching element S controlled by the receive controller 111 and/or the ASK module 116 . In FIG. 7a, the switch S is switchable between two positions, one position where the load impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 are essentially shorted, and another position where the first impedance _Z1 is shown to be the location where it is connected across load impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 . In FIG. 7b, the switch S is switchable between two positions, one position in which the load impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 are essentially released, and another position in which the first impedance _Z1 is shown to be the location where it is connected across load impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 . As previously described, by toggling the switch S, the load impedance Z _L presented to the power receiving circuit 112 changes, resulting in a transmit signal amplitude of Change. The load circuit 115 presented in FIG. 7 is suitable for operating in series with the power receiving circuit 112 and, in an example suitable for parallel operation, presents an essentially infinite impedance at the load impedance ports _ZL1 , _ZL2. Note that the switch may be placed in one position to do so.

The implementation of the load circuit 115 presented above with reference to FIG. 7 requires that the power transfer process 300 return to the selection phase 302 and repeat the initiation phases 304, 306, see FIGS. 4a and 4b. This is the source of the problem presented. The inventors have realized that by allowing load circuit 115 to provide more than one load impedance Z _L , modulation accuracy can be improved. This not only improves the accuracy of the modulation, but also improves the bit rate and allows higher order modulation.

Referring to FIG. 8a, an example implementation of load circuit 115 is shown that allows more than one load impedance Z _L to be presented to, for example, power receiving circuit 112 . By providing three or more throws in the first switch S ₁ provided by the load circuit 115, in this example the first impedance Z ₁ , the second impedance Z ₂ , or the load impedance ports Z _L1 and Z L1 in FIG. It is possible to present a short circuit, represented as a componentless line between _L2 . By adding a second switch S ₂ shown in FIG. 8b more impedance can be presented across the load impedance ports Z _L1 , Z _L2 at the cost of increased component cost. In FIG. 8b, the first switch _S1 is switchable between the first switch first throw _S1T1 and the first switch second throw _S1T2 , and similarly the second switch _S2 is the second switch second throw S1T2. It is switchable between the first throw _S2T1 and the second switch second throw _S2T2 . This means that the first switch _S1 disconnects the impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 connected to the first switch first throw _S1T1 or the first switch S1T1 connected to the first switch second throw _S1T2 . It means to either connect impedance element _Z1 across impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 . A second switch _S2 has a second impedance element Z2 connected to the second switch first throw _S2T1 in parallel with _the impedance connected by the first switch _S1 across impedance ports _ZL1 and _ZL2 . or the third impedance element _Z3 connected to the second switch second throw _S2T2 . From the circuit shown in Figure 8b, many different values of load impedance _ZL are achievable and the impedances are summarized in Table 1 below.

Note that the lines showing impedances Z ₁ , Z ₂ , Z ₃ , Z _L and shorts in FIGS. 7-8b are all examples of impedances. A line indicating a short is represented by an impedance element, which may be implemented as a 0Ω resistor. Impedance elements Z ₁ , Z ₂ , Z ₃ are typically realized by predominantly resistive components, although predominantly reactive impedance elements may also be used. Those skilled in the art can appreciate this and modify the teachings of this disclosure accordingly if a change in the type of impedance element is required. As will be appreciated after digesting the information in this disclosure, one configuration of load impedance _ZL for maximizing the power transferred is to have no impedances connected across impedance ports _ZL1 , _ZL2 . most likely to respond to

FIG. 9 shows an example of a transmitted signal using a first amplitude A ₁ , a second amplitude A ₂ and introducing a third amplitude A ₃ . The transmit signal of Figure 9 may be provided by load circuit 115 of Figure 8a or Figure 8b, each amplitude _A1 , _A2 , _A3 corresponding to an associated value of load impedance _ZL . Assuming that the length of the transmitted signal shown in FIG. 9 is the same as, for example, the length of the transmitted signal shown in FIG. 2c, the time T _s per signal in FIG. It will be half the time compared to the time. This means that the symbol rate is doubled and data can be transmitted faster. Alternatively, additional amplitude states may be used to ensure good modulation accuracy and reliable SNR without compromising power transfer efficiency. Yet another possibility is to use additional amplitude states to encode information in the transmitted signal that is not decoded by devices 110, 120 that are unaware that higher modulation orders are being used. Thus, this allows a method of transmitting hidden messages across channels that would be ignored by normal devices, or an error correction mechanism to filter hidden messages. This mechanism may be used for authentication or copyright protection purposes, for example.

Any of ASK modules 116, 126, load circuit 115, power receiving circuit 112, or power transmitting circuit may include circuitry, sensors, and/or controllers to evaluate the amplitude of the transmitted signal. The evaluation may be performed by either the power transmitter 120 or the power receiver. If an amplitude modulating device, typically a power receiver, evaluates the amplitude of the transmitted signal at the same time as the ASK data is transmitted, the load used for modulation at different ASK amplitudes can be changed. As an illustrative, non-limiting example, assume the load circuit 115 of FIG. 8b and assume that ASK modulation is performed with only the first amplitude A ₁ and the second amplitude A ₂ . The first amplitude _A1 is the load impedance _ZL corresponding to _Z2 , the second amplitude _A2 is the load impedance _ZL corresponding to _Z3 , i.e. only the second switch in FIG. and the first switch _S1 is connected to the first switch first throw _S1T1 . If a certain amplitude deviation A _dev is expected and the amplitude deviation A _dev is lower than this, there is a risk of miscommunication or data loss leading to repeating the power transfer process 300 . Also, if the amplitude deviation A _dev is too high, power is wasted because lower amplitude means less power transfer. In both cases, the positions of the switches _S1 , _S2 corresponding to the amplitudes of _A1 , _A2 may be adjusted so that the estimated deviation is close to the expected amplitude deviation _Adev . Generally, but not necessarily, this means that the settings of switches S ₁ , S ₂ should be adjusted to maximize power transfer efficiency. This means that if the amplitude deviation A _dev is to be decreased, the setting of the switch corresponding to the lowest amplitude of the transmitted signal must be adjusted so that the amplitude of the low state transmitted signal is increased. . Similarly, if the amplitude deviation A _dev should be increased, the setting of the switch corresponding to the largest amplitude of the transmitted signal should be adjusted so that the amplitude of the transmitted signal in this condition is increased. The changes shown above are examples, it is desired to increase the amplitude of the high state of the transmitted signal to increase the amplitude deviation _Adev , but if no load impedance _ZL is available to achieve it, the low state The load impedance Z _L corresponding to must be changed.

The frequency used for FSK can be changed in a manner similar to that described above for changing the load impedance ZL used for ASK modulation. The change in frequency, ie frequency deviation _{f_dev} , is typically controlled by changing the control of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) or corresponding circuitry. Such circuitry for generating FSK modulation is typically included within FSK module 123 within transmit module 125, for example. Detection of FSK modulation can be performed both in the device 110, 120 that performs FSK modulation and in the device 120, 110 that receives the FSK modulated signal. Detection of the frequency deviation f _dev can be done in a number of ways with varying accuracy, complexity and cost. A person skilled in the art will understand which solution to choose when detecting FSK modulation, depending on the specific design requirements.

The frequency deviation f _dev also affects the efficiency of power transfer, especially if the transmission frequency f _TX is changed. FIG. 10a shows an example plot of the amplitude A in the transmitted signal versus the transmitted frequency _fTX . As can be observed, the amplitude A peaks at what is called the resonant frequency f ₀ . The resonance frequency f ₀ is the frequency at which power transmission is most efficient. This is because the reactance element included in the power transmission impedance is minimized, and ideally the power transmission impedance is pure resistance. In FIG. 10a, the first transmit frequency f _TX1 and the second transmit frequency f _TX2 are each shown essentially the same distance above and below the resonant frequency f ₀ . This configuration results in the most efficient power transmission during transmission of FSK modulated data. In FIG. 10b, the transmit frequencies f _TX1 and f _TX2 have been moved above the resonant frequency f ₀ . As a result, the average amplitude A is reduced and, as a result, the power transfer efficiency is reduced.

By evaluating the amplitude of the transmit signal as described above, it can be determined whether it should be moved up or down to center the transmit frequency f _TX around the resonant frequency f ₀ . If the amplitude at the lower frequency of the transmission frequencies f _TX1 , f _TX2 is lower than the amplitude at the higher frequency of the transmission frequencies f _TX1 , f _TX2 , the transmission frequency f _TX has to be shifted to the higher frequency. Therefore, if the amplitude at the low frequency of the transmission frequencies f _TX1 , f _TX2 is higher than the amplitude at the high frequency of the transmission frequencies f _TX1 , f _TX2 , the transmission frequency f _TX must be moved down in frequency. A specific example for the Qi standard is described in detail with reference to FIG. 10c. In the Qi standard, there are operating frequencies similar to the transmit frequency f _TX of the present disclosure, and modulation frequencies similar to the first and second transmit frequencies f _TX1 , f _TX2 . Since the system spends most of its time at the operating frequency f _TX , this example is typically optimized and the modulation frequency f _TX1 is shifted a little, as shown in FIG. 10c. As explained in the previous section, the difference between the working frequency, or transmission frequency f _TX1 , and the modulation frequency, or the first transmission frequency in FIG. should not be too large to give

Apart from being able to optimize the power transfer during data transmission and increasing the bit rate by adding further modulation states with any number of transmission frequencies _fTXn or modulation amplitudes A _n , these additional modulation states may be used to transmit additional information without interfering with the standardized communications of wireless power transfer system 100 . Standardized communications specify amplitude deviation A _dev and frequency deviation f _dev along with tolerances. By having more modulation states and by controlling the modulation, the additional modulation states allow the normalized communication to detect the normalized message, but the modulation states are parallel to the normalized message. additional messages may be sent simultaneously. In one embodiment, additional modulation states are selected by normalized communication tolerances for deviations A _dev , f _dev . A normalized communication may for example observe the average modulation state at symbol time T _s to determine the modulation state, and in such a communication type the average value at symbol time T _s In some embodiments, additional modulation states are selected to comply with standardized communications. In another embodiment, the standardized communication only looks at the modulation state in the segment of symbol time _Ts . In this embodiment, the additional modulation states use times before and/or after the symbol time _Ts segment.

Referring to FIG. 11, a method 310 of transmitting data during power transfer process 308 is described in detail. In short, method 310 allows for changes in data communication configuration when signal conditions are met. Method 310 is preferably performed while power transfer process 308 of wireless charging process 300 presented with reference to FIG. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept is applicable to any system with at least inductive transfer of power.

During the power transfer process 308, the power receiving device 110 or power transmitting device 120 sends data 311 to the other device 120,110. Generally, in the Qi standard, it is the power receiving device 110 that transmits 311 data to the power transmitting device 120, but the method 310 is not limited to the direction of this information. Data is typically contained in a first data packet, which is transmitted 311 using either FSK or ASK modulation. Typically, if the power transmitter 120 transmits 311 the first data packet, the transmission 311 is performed using FSK, and the power receiver 110 transmits 311 the first data packet using ASK. do.

During transmission 311 of the first data packet, the device 110, 120 transmitting the first data packet determines 313 whether the signal conditions are met. The signal condition may be any number of conditions directly or indirectly associated with the transmission 311 of the first data packet. The check 313 whether the signal condition is met may be done several times during the transmission 311 of the first data packet, or it may be done only once during the transmission 311 of the first data packet. may

Determining 313 whether the signal condition is met is illustrated in more detail with reference to FIG. The signal condition may be any condition regarding the signal containing the first data packet, such as modulation parameters, SNR, amplitude, and the like. Consequently, making a determination 313 whether signal conditions are met may include evaluating 315 the transmitted signal. A transmitted signal may be evaluated with respect to one or more metrics relating to the quality of the transmitted signal. It may be in terms of changes in the transmitted signal, or it may be in terms of absolute changes in metrics with respect to the transmitted signal. Such changes and/or metrics may be represented by a Signal Quality Indicator (SQI). The SQI may include changes in the modulation accuracy metrics described with reference to FIGS. 4a-4b, changes in frequency deviation, or changes in symbol times T _S , T _Fs , T _As . Changes in symbol times T _S , T _Fs , T _As can be observed as changes in symbol rate, ie bit rate or modulation rate. SQI may include any metric for signal quality and is not limited to modulation accuracy. If the SQI is below the SQI threshold, it may be said that one signal condition has been met. As shown in FIG. 10b, one signal condition may be the presence of an amplitude deviation A _dev in an FSK signal. One signal condition may be that the amplitude deviation A _dev is higher or lower than the amplitude threshold. One signal condition may be that the SNR is above or below the SNR threshold. From the non-exhaustive examples of signal conditions given above, it is observed that many of the examples relate to the amplitude of the transmitted signal, and consequently the amplitude of the transmitted signal when making the determination 313 whether the signal condition is met. Evaluating 315 has advantages.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 12, one optional function is described in connection with determining 313 whether signal conditions are met. Additionally or alternatively, it may be determined 313 that the signal condition is met if operational feedback is received 317 during transmission 311 of the first data packet. Operational feedback may be included in the second data packet. Operational feedback may include any of the operational parameters described above, or may relate to feedback provided by users of system 100 . In one embodiment, operational feedback is received 317 from the device 120, 110 receiving the first packet. This is possible because the first data packet is sent using ASK or FSK and the operational feedback is provided by sending the operational information using the other of ASK or FSK. A device 120 for receiving a first data packet by configuring the device 110, 120 for transmitting 311 the first data packet to detect operational information transmitted during the transmission 311 of the first data packet. , 110 allow operational feedback to be communicated during reception 311 of the first data packet. If the receiving device 120, 110 detects a problem or opportunity in the transmission 311 of the first packet, the device 120, 110 may provide information of this to the transmitting device 110, 120 and the transmitting device 110, 120 may update the data communication configuration regarding the problem or opportunity. The problem presented may be that of the aforementioned signal conditions, eg that the determined SQI is lower than the SQI threshold.

More generally, the receiving device 120, 110 (ie the device 110, 120 not transmitting the first data packet) may assess the signal quality of the signal containing the first packet. If the evaluation of the quality of the signal containing the first packet does not meet the threshold, the receiving device 120, 110 receives the operational information using the other of the two modulation schemes, FSK or ASK. may be transmitted at the transmit frequency f _TX thereby providing the aforementioned operational feedback. Data relating to or representing the quality of the assessment, eg expressed in the form of SQIs, may be included in the transmitted operational information.

Referring again to FIG. 11, if it is determined 313 that the signal conditions are met, the device 110, 120 transmitting the first data packet changes 319 its data communication configuration. Configuration changes 319 typically relate to signal conditions determined 313 to be met, and thus the changed configuration is the configuration for data communications. The term data communication configuration is intended to include all kinds of configurations and settings relating to data communication in general and to transmission 311 of the first data packet in particular. The configuration change 319 may be a single configuration parameter change or some several configuration parameter changes. The configuration parameters modified 319 may be predefined or configurable configuration parameters. The configuration parameters may be configuration parameters relating to the modulation of the transmitted signal, ie the signal containing the first packet. The configuration parameters may alternatively or additionally include configuration regarding the structure or organization of data packets. In one embodiment, the configuration parameters are such that transmission 311 of the first data packet is restarted. In some embodiments, configuration change 319 is a change in one of a predefined or configurable set of modulation parameters. Modulation parameters in the context of changing configuration 319 include modulation index, symbol rate T _s , number of bits per symbol, deviation A _dev , f _dev , transmit frequency f _TX and so on. Configuration change 319 may be accomplished in any suitable manner, and in particular those presented above. As a non-limiting example, the change in amplitude deviation A _dev may be accomplished by the load circuit 115 presented with reference to Figures 8a-8b. Additional non-limiting examples of configuration changes are accomplished by moving the operating point of system 100 . The operating point may include the target voltage and/or target current and/or load resistance of receiver 110 and/or the voltage and/or current of power transmit coil 123 and/or the operating frequency of transmitter 120. You can stay.

Determining whether a signal condition is met 313 and changing the configuration 319 may be related to each other to determine which configuration to change depending on which signal condition is met. From earlier chapters of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will learn and understand much of this relevance and understand that all are applicable when performing method 310 . Additionally, in the case of multi-device charging environments, signal conditions may be used by transmitting device 120 to optimize the communication channel. In such an environment, there may be multiple power receivers 110 operating on the same transmit signal provided by one power transmitter 120 . The optimal configuration for power transmitter 120 may not match the optimal configuration for any independent power receiver 110 .

As previously mentioned, there are many different modulation parameters that may be modified 319 . In some embodiments, certain signal conditions mandate certain changes 319, but the changes 319 do not sufficiently and/or correctly affect the signal conditions. In such a case, referring to FIG. 13, embodiments with a set of modulation parameters may be implemented such that the set of modulation parameters is iteratively changed 319 . In the embodiment visualized as in FIG. 13, following the step of changing 319 the configuration, a further step of determining 314 whether the signal conditions are met is added. The configuration is changed 316 again when it is determined 314 that the signal condition is still met, or when it is determined 314 that another signal condition is met. This additional modification 316 is repeated until no signal condition is determined 314 to be met. In some embodiments, this additional change 316 repeats setting the modulation parameters. In another embodiment, additional modification 316 evaluates appropriate parameters, such as modulation accuracy and/or transmitted power, for each parameter in the set of modulation parameters. Once the signal conditions for all parameters in the set of modulation parameters are met, the parameters that result in optimum modulation accuracy and/or power transfer are selected.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the configuration change may include one or more configuration changes, the set of modulation parameters may be several combinations of modulation parameters, and repeating this setting may result in all or any number of these combinations. understand that it may include

Since the steps described in method 310 of FIGS. 11-13 are still compliant with, for example, the Qi initiative, implementation can be seamless and the added functionality will not affect legacy systems.

Both the power receiving device 110 and the power transmitting device 120 illustrated with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are capable of performing the method 310 described above. Devices 110, 120 may transmit or receive the first package.

Typically, in the Qi standard, power receiver 120 is the device that transmits the first package. This is the communication associated with the power transfer phase 308 of the power transfer process 300 illustrated in FIG. In such an embodiment, the first package is control data transmitted by power receiver 110 . If the first package containing control data suffers from, for example, low modulation accuracy and/or SQI, the method 310 described with reference to FIGS. Change configuration 319 to enable detectability, avoid problems and exploit opportunities. Power receiver 110 may make, for example, necessary adjustments to ASK module 116 to improve modulation accuracy and/or SQI. As a result, the power transfer phase 308 can be initiated without returning to the selection phase 302, avoiding repetition of the power transfer process 300. FIG.

The novel and inventive process 310 described with reference to FIGS. 11-13 may be verified, authenticated, trimmed, and/or calibrated using the probe device 132 . Referring to FIG. 14, test system 130 is introduced. Test system 130 includes probe device 132 , analysis device 134 and optional host interface 136 . The probe device 132 can be positioned within the wireless power transfer system 100 such that it can intercept the electromagnetic field of the inductive wireless power transfer interface 105 . Probing device 132 may include or be operably connected to analysis device 134 . Analysis device 134 may be in communication with host device 136 .

Referring to FIG. 15, probe device 132 and associated analysis device 134 are shown in greater detail in a block diagram of test system 130 . The probe device 132 comprises a pick-up coil 133 located within the inductive wireless power transfer interface 105 . Typically, pickup coil 133 is arranged between the surface of the housing of wireless power transmitter 120 and the surface of the housing of wireless power receiver 110 , that is, between transmitter coil 127 and receiver coil 117 . This allows the pick-up coil 133 to capture the electromagnetic signals exchanged between the wireless power transmitting and receiving devices 120, 110 according to the wireless power transfer protocol 300, 310 and generate the electrical signals. Analysis device 134 connects to probe interface 134 of probe device 132 using a corresponding analysis interface 137 of analysis device 134 , if not included in probe device 132 . Electromagnetic signals are transmitted using interfaces 134 , 137 to analysis device 134 , which includes processing unit 138 . Probe device 132 may also include other sensors, such as temperature sensors, from which sensor data is received by processing unit 138 via interfaces 134 , 137 .

Analysis device 134 typically processes data and signals received from probe device 132 using processing unit 138 . Processing may include interpreting signals intercepted by the pickup coil 133 to determine whether the signals comply with the processes 300, 310 described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 11-13, for example. may contain. Analysis device 134 may also provide the results of the determination as an output, for example, to a user or optional host device 136 . Additionally or alternatively, analysis device 134 may log data and/or signals provided by probe device 132 . The log may be stored on a memory device included in, connected to, and/or in communication with the analysis device 134 and/or the user and/or host device 136 . The logs may be analyzed by analysis unit 134 to determine accuracy, for example, with respect to modulation accuracy, timing, power, etc., over time, for example to detect trends or identify isolated events. .

Referring to FIG. 16, an embodiment of test system 130 is shown in which analyzer 134 comprises optional generator 139 . The generator 139 may generate a signal emitted by the probe device 132 to the inductive wireless power transfer interface 105 . A signal may be a signal that triggers a particular event associated with the process 300, 310 under test. The generator 139 may generate a signal, eg noise or other unwanted disturbance, that affects the quality of the modulation of the signal transmitted between the power transmitter 120 and the power receiver 110 . A disturbance signal may be generated to affect the first packet in method 310 of FIGS. 11-13 such that a signal condition is met. In this embodiment, it is possible to verify whether power transmitting device 120, power receiving device 110 and/or wireless power transfer system 100 comply with method 310 of FIGS. 11-13.

As noted above, analysis unit 134 is very useful for detecting whether method 310 is performing as intended and providing output in that regard. Output may be provided to internal or external storage means, the user of the device, or host device 136 . Briefly, the probe device 132 provides signals to the analyzer device 134 so that the analyzer can determine whether the wireless power transfer system 100 is operating in the power transfer phase 308 . In that case, analysis device 134 detects whether one of power transmitting device 120 or power receiving device 110 is transmitting 311 a first data packet. The analysis device 134 detects that a data communication configuration change 319 is performed by the device 110, 120 transmitting the first packet. Analyzer 134 may optionally monitor inductive wireless power transfer interface 105 to detect whether signal condition 313 is met. Analysis unit 134 may also detect whether data communication configuration change 319 has been performed, for example, without a signal condition being met. Detecting any deviation or violation of the processes 300, 310 described herein may result in the analysis device 134 generating an output indicative of the deviation or violation.

Claims (20)

A method (310) of data transmission during power transmission (308) in a wireless power transfer system (100), wherein the wireless power transfer system (100) is an inductive radio operating at a transmission frequency (f _TX ). a power transmitting device (120) arranged to transmit (308) power to a power receiving device (110) via a power transfer interface (105), said wireless power transfer system (100) using half-duplex communication transmitting (311) information using frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the other direction, said method (310) comprising: transmitting (308) power by the power transmitter (120) to the power receiver (110) at the transmission frequency (f _TX ), wherein a first data packet is transmitted during the transmission (308); , by one of the power transmitting device (120) or the power receiving device (110) to the other of the power transmitting device (120) or the power receiving device (110), the transmission frequency (f _TX ) and transmitting (311) using one of two modulation methods, FSK or ASK, and during said transmitting (311),
determining (313) said device (110, 120) to transmit (311) said first data packet when certain signal conditions for said transmission of said first data packet are met;
changing (319) a data communication configuration of said device (110, 120) transmitting said first data packet when said signal condition for said transmission of said first data packet is met;
Method (310). The power transmitter (120) transmits (311) information using FSK and receives (311) information using ASK, and the power receiver transmits (311) information using ASK. The method (310) of claim 1, wherein the information is received (311) using FSK. The modified data communication configuration includes:
one or more modulation indices;
one or more symbol rates or one or more bits per symbol,
3. The method (310) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the set of modulation parameters is one of predefined or configurable, comprising at least one of: Said device (110, 120) for transmitting (311) said first data packet is said power receiving device (110) and said modified data communication configuration is a modulation index in the form of an amplitude deviation. 4. The method (310) of any one of clauses 1-3. Said device (110, 120) for transmitting (311) said first data packet is said power transmission device (120), said modified data communication configuration is said transmission frequency (f _TX ) and/or frequency deviation 4. The method (310) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the change in modulation index takes the form of . Determining (313) whether a signal condition is met includes evaluating (315) an accuracy of modulation of a signal comprising said first data packet, wherein said evaluated (315) modulation of The method (310) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the signal condition is determined to be met if the accuracy is lower than a modulation accuracy threshold. 7. The method (310) of claim 6, wherein evaluating (315) the modulation accuracy comprises evaluating (315) an amplitude of the signal comprising the first data packet. The step of making the change (319) comprises:
repeating changing (319) the configuration until it is determined that the signal condition is no longer met, or until a predefined or configurable set of configurations is evaluated;
The method (310) of any one of claims 1-7. Said iteratively modifying (319) further comprises:
evaluating (315) a signal quality indicator (SQI) and/or power transmitted to each of said predefined or configurable set of data communication configurations;
had the highest SQI and/or transmitted the most power if at least one signal condition for each of said set of predefined or configurable data communication configurations is met (313, 314); making changes (319, 316) to said configuration that
9. The method (310) of claim 8, comprising: 10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein it is determined (313) that the signal condition is met when operational feedback is received (317) from the device receiving the first packet. (310). receiving said first data packet by said device (110, 120) not transmitting said first data packet; during said receiving;
evaluating the signal quality of the signal containing the first packet; quality does not meet the signal quality threshold,
Operational information is transmitted at the transmission frequency (f _TX ) using the other of two modulation schemes, FSK or ASK, by the device (110, 120) that does not transmit the first data packet, whereby the providing operational feedback; and
11. The method (310) of claim 10, further comprising: A power receiver positionable in a wireless power transfer system (100) to receive power via an inductive wireless power transfer interface (105) operating at a transmission frequency (f _TX ) from a power transmitter (120). (110), wherein the wireless power transmission system (100) uses frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in another direction for half duplex Configured for communicating information, said power receiver (110) comprises a receiver controller (111) operatively connected to power receiver circuitry (112), said power receiver (110) comprising: receiving power at the transmission frequency (f _TX ) from the power transmission device (120) to the power receiving circuit (112), and during the reception, to the power transmission device (120) at the transmission frequency (f _{TX )} ; ), and during said transmission,
determining whether a signal condition for the transmission of the first data packet is met;
changing a data communication configuration of the power receiver (110) when the signal condition for the transmission of the first data packet is met;
power receiver (110). 13. The power receiving device (110) according to claim 12, further performing the function of the power receiving device (110) in the method (310) according to any one of claims 2-11. A power transmitter deployable in a wireless power transfer system (100) for transmitting power to a power receiver (110) via an inductive wireless power transfer interface (105) operating at a transmit frequency (f _TX ). (120), wherein said wireless power transfer system (100) uses frequency shift keying (FSK) in one direction and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in another direction in half-duplex communication; wherein said power transmitter (120) comprises a transmitter controller (121) operatively connected to power transmitter circuitry (122), said power transmitter (120) said a power transmitting circuit (122) transmitting power to said power receiving device (110) at said transmission frequency (f _TX ), during said transmitting of power;
transmitting a first data packet at said transmission frequency (f _TX ) to said power receiving device (110), and during said transmission of said first data packet, a signal relating to said transmission of said first data packet; determining whether a condition is satisfied; and
changing a data communication configuration of the power transmitter (120) when the signal condition for the transmission of the first data packet is met;
power transmitter (120). 14. The power transmitter (120) according to claim 13, further performing the functions of the power transmitter (120) in the method (310) according to any one of claims 2-11. A test system (130) comprising a probe device (132) and an analysis device (136), said probe device (132) through an inductive wireless power transfer interface (105) operating at a transmit frequency (f _TX ) It can be arranged in a wireless power transfer system (100) comprising a power transmitter (120) arranged to transfer power to a power receiver (110), said wireless power transfer system (100) being unidirectional. is of the kind configured to transmit information in half-duplex using frequency shift keying (FSK) and amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the other direction,
said probe device (132) comprising at least one pick-up coil (133) and further comprising or operably connected to said probe analysis device (134);
The analysis device (134), when the probe device (132) is disposed in the wireless power transfer system (100),
detecting that power is transmitted (308) by the power transmitter (120) to the power receiver (110) at the transmit frequency (f _TX ), and during the transmission (308),
a first data packet transmitted by one of said power transmitting device (120) or said power receiving device (110) to the other of said power transmitting device (120) or said power receiving device (110); detecting that the transmission frequency (f _TX ) is transmitted (311) using one of two modulation methods, FSK or ASK;
detecting a change in data communication configuration by said device (110, 120) transmitting said first data packet;
providing as an output information regarding said detection;
A test system (130). further determining whether a signal condition is met prior to detecting the change in data communication configuration;
Said signal condition is satisfied if:
a modulation accuracy of a signal comprising the first data packet is below a modulation accuracy threshold;
operational feedback is provided by the device (110, 120) receiving the first data packet to the device (110, 120) transmitting the first data packet;
17. The test system (130) of claim 16, wherein the test system (130) is one of: 18. The test system (130) of claim 17, further detecting whether the configuration has changed without the signal condition being met and generating an output in that regard. The analyzer (134) further comprises a generator (139) configurable to emit a signal to the inductive wireless power transfer interface (105) such that the signal condition is met by the analyzer (134). A test system (130) according to any one of claims 16-18. A test system (130) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein said analysis device (134) further detects changes in said data configuration in said method (310) according to claims 2 to 11. .

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